SKU: 64090636446

Power Ball: Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game

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Power Ball: Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game"Winner of the 2018 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year." The former ESPN columnist and analytics pioneer dramatically recreates an action packed 2017 game between the Oakland A's and eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros to reveal the myriad ways in which Major League Baseball has changed over the last few decades. On September 8, 2017, the Oakland A's faced off against the Houston Astros in a game that would signal the passing of

"Winner of the 2018 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year."

The former ESPN columnist and analytics pioneer dramatically recreates an action-packed 2017 game between the Oakland A's and eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros to reveal the myriad ways in which Major League Baseball has changed over the last few decades.

On September 8, 2017, the Oakland A's faced off against the Houston Astros in a game that would signal the passing of the Moneyball mantle. Though this was only one regular season game, the match-up of these two teams demonstrated how Major League Baseball has changed since the early days of Athletics general manager Billy Beane and the publication of Michael Lewis' classic book.

Over the past twenty years, power and analytics have taken over the game, driving carefully calibrated teams like the Astros to victory. Seemingly every pitcher now throws mid-90s heat and studiously compares their mechanics against the ideal. Every batter in the lineup can crack homers and knows their launch angles. Teams are relying on unorthodox strategies, including using power-losing--purposely tanking a few seasons to get the best players in the draft.

As he chronicles each inning and the unfolding drama as these two teams continually trade the lead--culminating in a 9-8 Oakland victory in the bottom of the ninth--Neyer considers the players and managers, the front office machinations, the role of sabermetrics, and the current thinking about what it takes to build a great team, to answer the most pressing questions fans have about the sport today.

---BILL JAMES, author of The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper
Published: 10/09/2018
ISBN: 9780062853615
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.30w x 1.00d

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 08/27/2018
Booklist 09/01/2018 pg. 37
Library Journal 10/15/2018 pg. 63
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SKU: 64090636446

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Karen W.
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Soft and light
Color: A.Orange+Blue+Green
My doxie loves them
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026
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Sara
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Squeaky Spiky Ball (Submitted by OG, The Conqueror)
Size: 4.5 Set of 4
FIVE OUT OF FIVE PAWS. THIS IS THE GREATEST BALL EVER MADE. My name is OG, and I am a machine built for destruction. For years, I have systematically dismantled every supposed "heavy-duty" toy that dared cross my path. They all fail. They all surrender. But this Spiky Ball? This is my worthy adversary. This is The One. If you have mighty jaws like mine, this isn’t just a toy—it’s a commitment. The Aesthetics & Grip (5/5 Jaws) This ball is bright orange. This is important because it means my Dog-Parent cannot pretend they don't see it when I drop it, covered in drool, directly on their laptop. The spikes are the best part. They are not soft and pointless like some other toys. These spikes dig right into my gums. It's the perfect texture for a serious, focused chew session. Whether I'm running full-speed or we are locked in a heavy-duty Tug-of-War, those spikes give me the grip I need to apply maximum rotational torque. This ball never slips. It demands I bring my A-game. The Squeak: My Personal Battle Horn (5/5 Ears) The volume on this thing is set to LEGENDARY. They say a quiet dog is a happy dog. WRONG. A loud dog is an active, conquering dog. The squeak is sharp, loud, and glorious. It's not a gentle little peep—it's a declaration. When I hear it, I know the hunt is on. More importantly, when I make it squeak, the humans instantly know I require attention, praise, or the immediate launch of the ball across the yard. It is the best attention-getter I own. Durability: Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object (5/5 Eternal Glory) This ball is a mystery. It has no discernible weaknesses. I have performed the full Pitbull Destruction Protocol on this Spiky Ball every day for weeks: The Gnaw: Prolonged, focused effort to crack the surface—(Failure. It laughs.) The Shake: Head-whipping force designed to dislocate any internal components—(Failure. The squeak remains.) The Backyard Abandonment: Left in the rain and dirt for maximum entropy—(Failure. Still orange.) Most toys are a snack. This toy is a lifetime project. It truly is built for aggressive chewers, and I respect that. It is the only toy that challenges me. Recommendation If your dog is serious about their job (chewing, fetching, and being loud), you must buy this. It is the only thing that stands up to my power. It’s loud, it’s spiky, and it’s the best. Go buy it now, and tell them OG sent you. OG, currently performing a full-body gnaw and shake, signing off.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2025
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nolly
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent product
Size: 4.5 Set of 4
Our service dog Max (named after Max Muncy 3rd baseman for the Dodgers) lives these balls. They are a sturdy product. Just what we needed for our Max.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
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J. Campbell
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Best squeaky ball for the buck!!
Size: 4.5 Set of 4
my 90lb Pit, LOVES these balls.. and they have been lasting for months!! The squeaker is ok, those are lasting a week or two.. but that's better than average for my guy. At $4 a ball in the 4 pack, it's a great deal for a dog that loves a new toy every month .. I give him one at a time, the 4 pack lasts for many months of fun.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable and Fun!
Size: 4.5 Set of 4
My dog LOVES these balls and barks with excitement when the box arrives. These balls are super durable and a great size that does not allow them to roll under cabinets and sofas.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026

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